Emeter MDM White Paper
Emeter MDM White Paper
The Emergence of
Meter Data Management (MDM):
A Smart Grid Information white paper
Table of contents
SUMMARY 3
list of figures
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SUMMARY
The Meter Data Management (MDM) industry has recently emerged as a key to smart
grid rollout in North America. MDM offers the ability to manage, store and employ
consumption data, a crucial element of operating the smart grid as well as creating the
value-added services that lead to consumer efficiency and economic viability.
The Emergence of Meter Data Management (MDM): A Smart Grid Information White
Paper looks at the rapidly evolving MDM market and its influence on smart grid vision,
goals and objectives. We analyze MDM technology drivers and inhibitors as well as
strategies of leading vendors and adopters. We take an integrated look at supply- and
demand-side MDM and present the factors that contribute to a coherent MDM platform
strategy so that companies can fulfill smart grid potential and make more informed
technology choices down the road.
The White Paper is derived from GTM Research’s larger MDM report and is a part of
GTM Research’s overall Smart Grid analysis, which includes industry-wide reports and
surveys as well as a subscription service. It is being offered here in conjunction with
eMeter as a resource for industry professionals.
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Further discussion and a complete breakdown of GTM Research’s MDM Taxonomy can be found at The Emergence of
Meter Data Management (MDM): A Smart Grid Information Strategy Report
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»» Lack of robust standards for advanced meter functionality and data types for
AMI communications
»» Shortages in skilled and trained IT personnel
»» Incomplete or immature SOAs at utilities that are rolling out AMI
These issues increase implementation risks for MDR databases, which run the risk of
becoming overloaded with broader MDM requirements. Expect market consolidation as
established vendors acquire MDM startups to round out their product lines. Also expect new
entrants jumping into the fray as they realize the strategic importance of managing meter data.
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Smart Grid Investment Grant applications and PUC smart grid filings should not
be mistaken for a smart grid strategy and plan. Senior managers should formulate
smart grid strategy before setting MDM requirements. An effective smart grid
strategy and plan includes:
»» Vision statement – that clearly defines the future state the organization will
achieve. The vision statement guides initiatives and helps teams level-set when
they get lost in details.
»» Deployment baseline – that describes the current distribution infrastructure,
including current system and applications inventory to use as a starting point for
technology planning.
»» Gap analysis – that identifies technology changes required to achieve the
vision, including new applications, systems, work processes, and importantly,
integrations and interfaces between systems.
»» Phased roadmap – for building realistic project plans to deliver on business
objectives, including technology dependencies.
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There are five questions utilities should ask before selecting and implementing a
MDM system:
»» What is meter data management (MDM)? What are the core features, key system
boundaries, and limitations?
»» What business problems are we trying to solve? What business applications are
we seeking to enable?
»» What is our strategy for managing meter data and what will we do with it
when we get it?
»» How mature is the market? Can we count on vendors both now and in the future?
»» What are the keys to successful MDM deployment? What are the pitfalls and
how can we avoid them?
Westar Energy
Westar Energy is developing its SmartStar AMI pilot program in Lawrence, Kansas. In
choosing a MDM provider, the utility’s key criteria included flexible support for different
meter reading techniques, strength of web capabilities, and vendor vision / roadmap.
As a university town, Lawrence, Kansas has a lot of move-ins and move-outs, making
simple remote connect and disconnect a key ‘low-hanging fruit’ application. Hot
summers and the abundance of central air conditioning systems in the region also
present opportunities for significant peak reduction using programmable thermostats.
Lessons Learned
Lessons include the importance of implementing MDM before, or parallel with, AMI
deployment. Late MDM adopters reported difficulty managing AMI data volumes.
Company sources also cite the value of planning, including cross-functional MDM
configuration workshops that bring business and IT people together to talk about new
system capabilities, how existing systems work, and how to integrate them with AMI using
MDM. The sessions also consider the impacts of business process changes. Organizational
acceptance of AMI MDM has been good, especially as people have become excited about
potential uses for AMI data and opportunities to eliminate manual processes.
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About eMeter
eMeter provides the essential software platform and applications that enable electric,
gas and water utilities to achieve large-scale Smart Grid deployments. Leading utilities
worldwide depend on eMeter’s to reduce operational costs, increase service reliability,
boost customer satisfaction and drive energy efficiency. With over 24 million meters
under contract today, eMeter has the most large-scale deployments in the industry and
provides the lowest risk way for utilities to achieve Smart Grid success. To learn more
about eMeter, visit: www.emeter.com.
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